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Friday, July 15, 2016

BREAKING: Apparent Coup in Turkey

5:00 PM CST: I'm going to stop quoting the Telegraph Live Feed and let readers fend for themselves from it or other sources. See the #Turkey or #TurkeyCoup hashtags on Twitter. Milo Y. just retweeted a report, allegedly from MSNBC that Erdogan tried to flee to Germany but was denied permission to land. Was it a joke? I have no idea.This is from a Daily Telegraph Live Feed. The time is London time. Ankara is two hours later.

10:34 PM:

Turkey's Erdogan urges people to take to streets.

The president says he does not believe the coup will be successful and has urged people to take to the streets.

10:33 PM:

Foreign Office advice: avoid public places and remain vigilant.

We are aware of the current developments in Turkey. We are urgently seeking more information. Until the situation becomes clearer, we advise you to avoid public places and remain vigilant.10:30 PM:

Erdogan is giving his first statement.

The president says this is an act encouraged by 'parallel structure' in interview with CNN.

He states it is an uprising attempt by a minority within the military.

. . .

10:12 PM:

Turkey now under control of a 'peace council'

State TV channel says the country is now under the control of a "peace council" that will ensure the safety of the population.

It states that democratic and secular rule of law has been eroded by the Erdogan government.

. . .

9:44 PM:

Turkey's top general 'held hostage'

Reports on Turkish state news agency that the country's top general 'held hostage' at military HQ.

9:42 PM:

Reports of clashes between police and army.

Dorian Jones a British journalist based in Istanbul said:

“Tanks are seen in the streets. There are reports of clashes between the police and the army,” he told Sky News, adding there were also reports that police guarding the presidential palace had been disarmed.

“I have been speaking to various friends across the city, some are reporting that they are hearing gunfire in the streets.”

9:34 PM:

Turkish military claims to have overthrown Erdogan and taken control of country.

In a statement, the Turkish military says the rule of law must remain the priority.

State TV TRT reportedly off the air.

9:16 PM:

Twitter, Facebook and YouTube reportedly blocked in Turkey.

9:07 PM:

(Turkish Prime Minister) Yildirim says "it would be wrong to call it a coup" but that there has been an attempt by "part of the military".

He describes it as an "illegal attempt" to seize power.

9:05 PM:

Turkey's PM Yildirim: Nothing will harm Turkish democracy.

Binali Yildirim has called for calm.

9:03 PM:

Update from Istanbul.

The Bosphorus and Fatih bridges were closed by the gendarmerie - a branch of the Turkish military dedicated to internal security - for traffic travelling from Asia to Europe, NTV television said. Traffic was still moving in the other direction.

Meanwhile, Turkish military aircraft were heard flying low over Ankara, AFP correspondents in the capital also reported. There was no immediate explanation for the cause of the incidents.